ATLANTA – House Minority Caucus Chairman James Beverly (D-Macon), State Representatives Rhonda Burnough (D-Riverdale), Roger Bruce (D-Atlanta), Shelly Hutchinson (D-Snellville), Sandra Scott (D-Rex), Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta) and Mary Robichaux (D-Roswell) urge Governor Brian Kemp to issue a statewide mandate requiring masks or face coverings in public.
“As the number of COVID-19 cases rise daily, so do the number of deaths,” said Rep. Burnough. “If we can prevent just one person from contracting COVID-19 or even one person from dying by mandating the wearing of masks statewide, why wouldn’t we do so? Perhaps doing so will help us get this pandemic under control.”
“Even the Republican governor of Mississippi has signed a mask mandate,” said Rep. Hutchinson. “We now know that President Donald Trump’s White House Coronavirus Task Force has called for our governor to show leadership and implement a statewide mask mandate. This should not be controversial.”
“In the short time that schools have been open for the 2020-2021 school year, the dangers have become evident,” said Rep. Schofield. “Nearly 1,200 students and staff members in the Cherokee County School District alone have been quarantined, with two high schools closing their doors within the first week of classes. Exposing more students and staff to COVID-19 in school districts scheduled to open in the coming weeks is a catastrophe waiting to happen.”
“Georgia schools are not equipped to handle numerous COVID-19 cases,” said Rep. Scott. “Students are not wearing masks, practicing social distancing or washing their hands. Georgia’s schools have become a breeding ground for this pandemic. Children will take it home with them, and the spread will continue as people continue to get sick or die for no good reason.”
These state legislators would also like to make Georgians aware of Senate Bill 359, or the “Georgia COVID-19 Pandemic Business Safety Act,” which recently went into effect on August 5, 2020. SB 359 provides for certain immunities from liability claims regarding COVID-19. These state legislators are concerned that this law will also allow businesses, health care providers or individuals to refute legal claims if they provide warnings, such as signage posted at an entrance for customers or individuals to enter at their own risk.
“We are asking Georgians to follow the recommendations of science and data,” said Chairman Beverly. “Wear a mask, wash your hands and practice social distancing.”
For more information on SB 359, please click here.
Representative James Beverly represents the citizens of District 143, which includes portions of Bibb County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2011 and currently serves as House Minority Caucus Chairman. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and on the Ethics, Health & Human Services, Retirement, Rules, Small Business Development and Special Rules committees.
Representative Roger Bruce represents the citizens of District 61, which includes portions of Cobb, Douglas and Fulton counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2002 and currently serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Game, Fish & Parks, Human Relations & Aging, Judiciary and Small Business Development committees.
Representative Rhonda Burnough represents the citizens of District 77, which includes portions of Clayton County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2016 and currently serves on the Economic Development & Tourism, Governmental Affairs, Higher Education and Small Business Development committees.
Representative Shelly Hutchinson represents the citizens of District 107, which includes portions of Gwinnett County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 and currently serves on the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Health & Human Services and Juvenile Justice committees.
Representative Kim Schofield represents the citizens of District 60, which includes portions of Clayton and Fulton counties. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2017 and currently serves on the Health & Human Services, Interstate Cooperation and Small Business Development committees.
Representative Sandra Scott represents the citizens of District 76, which includes portions of Clayton and Henry counties. She was first elected to the House Representatives in 2010 and currently serves on the Defense & Veterans Affairs, Human Relations & Aging, Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment, Science and Technology and Special Rules committees.
Representative Mary Robichaux represents the citizens of District 48, which includes portions of Fulton County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 and currently serves on the Human Relations & Aging, Small Business Development and Special Rules committees.
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